The All Progressive Congress APC has reacted to the Punch Editorial of October 23, 2024, said it is a disturbing affront to responsible journalism.
Felix Morka, National Publicity Secretary in a release said;
“That piece was nothing short of rough stitches of misinformation and distortions designed to fuel mass hysteria against President Bola Tinubu administration’s economic policies, and advance the organization’s fixation bias in service of base interests.
“The termination of military dictatorship and return to civilian democracy in 1999 marked a major turning point in the country’s political history, heralding new prospects for growth, progress and democratic consolidation. The journey away from the dark days of military dictatorship towards a more vibrant democracy has been bold and strident even when it has not been flawless. Flawless is not and will never be the gold standard of democracy anywhere. Democratic progress can only be incremental, served by the relentless pursuit of democracy’s finest constitutive elements and values.
“The media plays a vital role in promoting transparency, good governance, accountability, and informed discourse in any democracy. However, an exploitable, pseudopopulist, bandwagon media can pose a grave threat to our nascent democracy.
“The Punch Editorial Board’s heap of vile propaganda against the administration’s economic reform agenda, and The Guardian Newspaper’s recent reckless call for military intervention in government are alarming and capable of undermining Nigeria’s democratic progress, economic growth and national security.
‘The All Progressives Congress (APC) vehemently condemns The Punch’s elevation of misinformation and spread of mass hysteria as editorial policy, and The Guardian’s unpatriotic call for military intervention. Both positions stand in betrayal and disservice to journalism and democracy.
“Despite its imperfections, democracy remains the best solution to Nigeria’s challenges. Military incursion into governance does not need further study or experimentation as The Guardian has advocated. Our nation has yet to heal, and may never fully recover, from the scourge of that misadventure. Military dictatorship is the antithesis of democracy, inherently fashioned to perpetrate violent human rights atrocities, economic stagnation, social upheaval and enforced abrogation of constitutional and democratic freedoms. We must continue to focus on strengthening democratic institutions, promoting inclusive economic growth, and addressing national challenges. We must draw lessons from our past and avoid repeating the costly mistakes of history.
“The Punch’s relentless and unjustifiable antagonism of former President Mohammadu Buhari has been transferred to President Tinubu’s administration. Punch’s deep bias and penchant for negative sensationalism in its reporting and editorial policy are now emblematic of its organizational culture, tarnishing its 54 years of existence.
“The Punch Editorial Board’s latest diatribe against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s economic policies is a reprehensible display of journalistic malfeasance, riddled with egregious factual errors, context-free critiques, and a brazen move to sabotage the government’s bold reform agenda.
“By deliberately distorting the context of the petrol price increase and subsidy removal, The Punch betrayed its duty to inform the public, fueling misinformation and mass hysteria. Its willful ignorance of the global oil market dynamics and Nigeria’s fiscal realities is appalling.
“The facts are clear – petrol subsidy removal and the resultant petrol price increase are inevitable and crucial steps towards curbing corruption, inefficiency, and freeing resources for investment in productive sectors of the economy. The government’s economic reform plan includes comprehensive measures to support small businesses, social welfare programs, and to stimulate economic growth.
“The Punch’s real agenda is to shield corrupt elites from accountability and undermine Nigeria’s progress. Its editorial is a pernicious attempt to discredit President Tinubu’s administration, rather than offer constructive criticism. It’s editorial did not offer any shred of policy thought different from the administration’s transformative economic policies. It simply manipulated data and information that only seek to further exploit the momentary difficulties that our people are going through.
“We urge The Punch to retract its highly incendiary and misleading editorial and commit itself to responsible journalism, prioritize fact-based analysis over spreading misinformation and mass hysteria. 54 years is old enough for The Punch to redeem itself, rediscover journalistic integrity that it has since lost, and join the nation building effort rather than seek to sabotage it.
“The All Progressives Congress (APC) reaffirms its commitment to democratic principles as we tackle Nigeria’s pressing challenges. We stand with President Bola Tinubu and his administration’s valiant efforts to build a brighter future for all Nigerians.
